How to Keep Cigars Fresh

The way you store cigars plays a crucial role in their lifespan. When considering proper storage of your cigars, there are 2 things you should keep in mind. The first is that cigars are made of natural and organic materials through and through, from the filler leaves to the binders and wrappers, and at times, even the cigar band as well.

The second thing to keep in mind is that the organic nature of the components that make up your cigars makes your sticks extra sensitive to the environment they are placed in. Cigars, on their own, are produced using careful and controlled combinations of temperature and moisture, amongst other elements. Thus, if you aren’t careful with your sticks and allow any external factors to alter these existing combinations, you run the risk of altering the freshness and smoking experience of your cigars entirely.

This is why proper cigar storage is essential. And in this post, we’ll be shedding some light on the best ways to keep your cigars fresh and properly preserved until you’re ready to light them up.

What Is the Best Way to Store Your Cigars?

The best way to store your cigars and keep them fresh is by placing them in a humidor. In fact, any expert will tell you that cigars should always stay in a humidor until they’re ready to be smoked. Hence, a humidor (or two) is an essential piece of equipment for any true cigar lover.

What is a Humidor?

A humidor is a storage container designed to allow controlled airflow and equipped with a device that maintains the internal humidity and temperature levels of the container. This is especially important for keeping cigars fresh. If a cigar is kept in an environment that is too hot or too cool, it will end up losing its freshness, flavor, and strength quickly. Therefore, storage in a controlled environment like that provided by a humidor is necessary.

Keep in mind that a humidor is NOT a cigar box. The latter may be cheaper but it will not keep your cigars fresh.

A humidor maintains an internal humidity level in the range of 70% to 75%. This is perfect for proper cigar storage. Furthermore, the best internal temperature to maintain in a humidor is between the narrow range of 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (between 20 to 21°c). The element of temperature is the most important factor when it comes to keeping your cigars fresh. The real key is to maintain the same temperature of the environment in which the cigars were produced, and obviously, this will differ by a cigar. Thus, you’ll want to pay special attention to these temperature details in your humidor.

How to Keep Cigars Fresh in Your Humidor?

More than just owning a humidor, you need to ensure that you’re getting your cigar storage right. Here are a few pro tips:

• Buy a good humidor that allows you to adjust its internal temperature according to the cigars you are storing presently.
• Always take special care to maintain the right temperature.
• Buy a humidistat or hygrometer to ensure the moisture levels in your humidor are always perfect.

Are There Other Effective Ways to Keep Cigars Fresh?

In the absence of a humidor, another way to keep your cigars fresh is by storing them in a sealed plastic bag or container with a small, damp paper towel. Take note that these storage alternatives are only temporary and will only work for about a day or so. Also, they will only work best with cigars that have already been properly humidified prior to this technique.

Top 5 Cigar Humidor Brands

• Elie Bleu: Since 1976, famous French humidor manufacturer, Elie Bleu, has managed to garner worldwide recognition for their luxury humidors, made with equally excellent craftsmanship and functionality.
• Havana: Havana creates custom Cuban cigar humidors that are as stylish as they possess one of the largest storage capacities in the world of cigar humidors (150-cigar capacity!).
• Savoy: Ashton, a brand that is exceedingly popular for its exquisite selection of cigars, also has their very own line of humidors called Savoy. Savoy humidors are well-known for their quality wood and efficient humidification system (patented by Savoy).
• Daniel Marshall: A brand of humidors with class and style, every Daniel Marshall unit is made with exceptional attention to detail and elegance that is worthy of ownership by dignitaries, celebrities, and US presidents.
• Davidoff: Davidoff humidors are known for 3 things– their high-quality construction, brilliant details, and impressive lock system. They also have an excellent reputation for their innovative humidification systems.

Conclusion

Cigars can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of months, but how fresh they remain through their lifespan depends on how well you manage their storage. Remember to store them properly in a good humidor and always pay attention to temperature—keeping your cigars fresh after these will be a breeze!

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